#vg ch3

Bunji stood in the center ring of a large tent. In front of them was a large electronic sign, which displayed their name, followed by a number - Zero. Next to it was a another number - 100 - with the word “threshold” displayed above it.

The rules were simple: if they didn’t give enough of a show to reach that number, they would be gunned down. They weren’t sure if this was rigged, but if they didn’t try, they were being killed--so they had little to argue about. And little time.

There was a tightrope. Easy enough. Weights to balance on their head. Okay, that’s a bit much.

And it was on fire. What the absolute fuck.

The guns pointed at them were persuasive enough. They climbed up, staring at the other end like it would pull them into the abyss if they stood too close. With a sigh, they placed the weight on their head and started walking. The flames licked at their shoes, and even through the sole could feel a searing pain.

The counted slowly ticked up. It wasn’t enough.

Bunji groaned. They began to do little twirls and jumps, careful not to fall off and only screamed in pain at a normal volume. The ticker picked up in pace, but it was painful to maintain. They went as far as doing a few majestic jumps and landings, which earned them a good amount of points. Once they reached the other side, they crawled back to the ground and screamed again. Even if they lived, there was no way they’d walk for weeks.

The sign was at 67, but luckily they were given a chance to get the score up one more time. Now there was a unicycle, a bag full of little toys and tricks--

And a cage of tigers. Really hungry tigers. Ignoring the extreme pain, they jumped on the unicycle and peddled like their life depended on it. While their hands were occupied, they reached for the bag, pulling out a few pins to juggle. Hastily, they began, causing the ticker to increase in speed. However, they were getting slower by the second, and couldn’t keep up this act. One of the tigers had nearly caught up and took a swipe--leaving a painful scratch on their back that only increased the bleeding.

They reached for something else while pedaling with the last of their might, a bottle of oil, and a matchbox. They put the oil in their mouth and and lit the match, and in one sweeping motion, faced the tiger and let out a burst of flames. Unfortunately, they were a little hasty and singed their face, causing enough pain that they fell over and hit the ground.

The tigers, now enraged, pounced on them, clawing and biting at whatever they could get until the last few points mercifully ticked them over the 100 point goal. As if one cue, the tigers retreated, leaving the badly wounded performer to lie there.

They struggled to lift their head, barely catching the score with a slight smile, a slight hope…

There's something grating and irritating about Proto Magica, or Bunji, or whatever their name was's (not that their one to talk) last words. Like they hadn't went and said all the things they had said before, like they were some innocent little person everyone should listen to. Like some sort of last bid to get their way, control everyone. If they didn't want to do good they wouldn't, if they didn't want to pretend they wouldn't. Pretending was only fun when they choose to themself.

The flare of anger numbs quickly though, leaving nothing but a sort of static behind. They watch the events play out with a dull expression, although they still feel that sense of morbid curiosity, albeit weaker now. There is a slight satisfaction to it but the feeling is distant, like it's behind the glass with the stage magician. 

And then it's all over.

They take in a deep breath, feeling their exhaustion finally catching up to them. "Okay." They tap a finger against Jack's wrist,. They could rest now, in their room with closed doors and locks. Safer. They want a break. 

"Ah, Junji, Undead Lullaby, you two should go see Nata at some point. She has something you'll like I'm sure Junji. And I think she got something of yours Undead Lullaby. So... Do what you want with that." They sound as tired and numb as they feel, but they don't feel like putting energy into this.

Chaos. More and more chaos erupted in front of her eyes. Sora was right...this wouldn't be what Kotone wanted. But she could do nothing to stop the violence and chaos before it seemed to ebb itself out, as it was.

And then there was Proto Magica, sitting there as alone as ever, ushering in feelings of pity from Nata. They didn't truthfully deserve this. None of them did. Not even...not even Heiwa...despite what happened to Kotone. None of them asked for this.

But...it was what it was. They were here now, and every person is responsible for their choices even under such circumstances. Everyone had the choice to act in their own self interest, or in the interest of their dwindling group as a whole. Like a lone wolf, or part of a pack.

"...I am sorry, my friend." She muttered, moments before Proto Magica was dragged away to their demise. 

Nata's eyes remained transfixed on the writhing licks of flame as she clenched her jaw and fought back the very-near images that accompanied such a sight. It must have been unbearable to be so close to it. It must have been terrifying.

[TW: Implied Animal Abuse?]

And the animals...were they real? They couldn't be...could they? How must they have been treated, in such a place? They deserved to be here even less than anyone in this class...this was just wrong.

[End TW]

Even after the scene had ended, Nata found herself staring at the space it had once been, as phantom flames continued to dance in her vision and the faintest, most distant laughter echoed in her memories.

For a good while past the voting results, they stayed on the floor, barely conscious as to whether things went the way they were supposed to or not. At the mention of their real name, their head whipped up again, and it sinks in that these might be the very last moments of life they'll ever have.

...I think I'd like to be alone.

They slowly pulled themselves to their knees, then to their feet. Poking at their injured hand as they carefully tried to move the fingers, they trudged back to their podium, leaning on it for support.

In their head, the words they heard during the commotion of the trial rang around. Would anyone listen to anything they had to say now? Perhaps not. Still, they couldn't leave things like this. Trying to hide the wound on their hand with the torn glove, they started to ramble.

Using words like that...caged animals...beasts...no one's a monster. We're all people, right? People that are...not in a happy place right now. I think...it's important to remember that. The people that care about you...the world, all the things you can still do. Then...work together. Because there's still something out there...thing's that'll never be left behind for long.

They shifted slightly, staring at the floor like it might crumble beneath them any second.

I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen next, but...I think as long as everyone here puts some good feelings into the future, you'll get something good back!

Sora listened to the results, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself. No more fights were breaking out anymore, that had to be a good thing

She wasn't shocked by the results at all, but they did make her think about something. She had been shutting it out ever since the event occurred, but now it was resurfacing, and Sora simply had to say it

"You'll probably continue to try and be all optimistic, all while hiding negative thoughts. However, you'll eventually realize that you may have been in denial this entire time, which may prove to be your downfall in the long run. To put it simply, if you can't relate to others and accept your feelings, then you'll suffer. Given our current situation, I'd say you'd probably die" she mumbled in a tone that made it sound like she was reading off a script. She remembered exactly what she said to them, word for word. It was the very first time they wronged her here; the first time she had been judged for her magic in this hellhole

"...you realized it all too late. You didn't believe in the magic, you dismissed my warnings. In the end, you turned yourself into the fool. You didn't just follow the card's fortune, you became it. And for what, pride? The satisfaction of feeling in the right. I almost pity you, I really do. Wanting to defy fate; wanting to know that you're right."

This sudden kindness didn't last long, however, since now Sora was back to glaring at them

"I'll never pity anyone who treats me the way you did though. You tried to make me feel like the villain, and look how that ended. The tables have turned, and you've fallen victim to destiny. It's too late to avoid it, but in your final moments, you should grow a pair and least accept it. Who knows? It might redeem you to a few people here. I'm sure as hell not one of those few, but you may be surprised who is"

Wow...she was actually being fairly mature about this. It was fairly impressive

"-side note to everyone, my readings? 100% accurate, if anyone's interested in knowing how they die. I'm kinda good at them, in case you haven't noticed"

...or maybe she wasn't. Oh well, she got her point across, and now she was slowly starting to feel satisfied again. She realized that as much as it hurt to care for people, she really had no choice. Suddenly cutting everyone out would go against everything Kotone wanted for her. And besides, someone had to keep them all from killing each other, right? And as for those who went against her words? Well, they were all simply destined to die here; just like PM

Amidst all the chaos, Ayame’s voice still rings clear.

“That’s a wrap, folks! Let’s see what the votes say... I’m only going to count the ones for the killer of Heiwa Oyasumi, since... well, Kotone’s killer is already dead, as you all seem to have guessed!”

Proto Magica - 9

Defaulted - 4

Screaming, crying, all the usual dramatics of this thing, if anything about it could be called usual at all. And yet Karl is quiet, in the same position, the same pose he'd been in the whole time, his arms crossed, tense, waiting.

Waiting for what?

Well, isn't it obvious?

His eyes narrow when Proto Magica has their first little breakdown, and stay on them throughout the whole thing, while he uncrosses his arms at last, to reach behind his back and pull up his shirt slightly, pull something out from under his belt, where he'd left it since the very beginning of the investigation.The hilt it comfortably familiar in his hand, as it should be. He'd held things like this a million times before after all. Ever since he could barely stand.It'll be easy, he thinks, when he leaves his podium. It's something he knows. Not something he has to tell himself.

He isn't more than halfway there, his steps all too calm and slow, when Trik moves, from Sora's side (when had they gotten to Sora's side?) to Proto Magica all too quickly, and though Karl sees it he doesn't pay it much mind, far from enough mind, because he has something to do, and that something i-

He only stops in his tracks when he sees the blood, hears PM's voice, and his first thought is that that's a child screaming and hurt, a little kid, a baby- chased quickly by: What the fuck is Trik doing? He's going to get himself killed!

And yet he's frozen in place, too much input at once, and watches as things continue to unfold. Trik stops, Yasu and UL, Sora, Trik nuzzled up to Yasu again, he's hurting, Karl knows. And there's a little child on the ground, in pain. Being taken care of already. And Karl's just standing there, hearing everyone insult them, talk about how glad they'd be to see them die. Watch a little child die. Because they were rude.

His grip slips, and the knife he had brought clatters to the ground.

He feels empty, and too full, and sick.

Demons, they're like demons. All of them.

Karl wants to help, but can't. Things are already taken care of. He isn't needed at all, not by Trik or PM.

PM was very clearly out of it, whether it's from the shock of getting stabbed, or something else. They had long given up on getting back to their feet, and when Undead Lullaby was the only one to offer them comfort...those words floated back into their head.

Your fault. All of this is your fault. Is it fair to let him be kind to you?

Ah...T-Tha....nk you.

With what little energy they could muster, they offered it to the one person willing to show it as well. What they didn't expect was for Clare to come over to their collapsed body, offering her own comfort, doggy licks included. At that, PM couldn't help but crack a small, soft smile.

Mmmm, it's...reminds me of home...

One they're never going back to. After constantly seeing that home destroyed over the past few days, they weren't even sure if there was one to return to anymore. Yet they still wanted to believe so...that's why they--

You're...very kind...the both of you...it's going to...hurt? Oh, well. It always hurts. Always....it's fine...I'm fine...I'm....sorry...